Gosport Borough condemn ‘despicable delinquents’ who broke player’s jaw in an unprovoked attack in the area of Gunwharf Quays.
21 year old midfielder Billie Busari, who is also a student at the University of Portsmouth – was set upon by two males in a brutal attack last Friday afternoon in Victory Street.
The player had been visiting Gunwharf to pick up a suit to wear for the following day’s Gosport team building session at Ascot races but ended up being jumped on.
After being beaten up, he managed to get himself to the St Mary’s walk-in centre, where staff ordered a taxi to take him to QA Hospital.
Gosport Borough condemn ‘despicable delinquents’ who broke Billie Busari’s jaw in unprovoked broad daylight attack near Gunwharf Quays https://t.co/zA9LSl9snY
— The News, Portsmouth (@portsmouthnews) July 29, 2022
Gosport boss Shaun Gale was allowed to visit him on Friday evening before Busari’s father travelled down from London.
A 23-year-old man, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, was arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent, criminal damage and possessing an offensive weapon in a private place.
Police are still carrying out enquiries and have appealed to the public for help in catching Busari’s second attacker.
GOSPORT CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT:
It saddens and enrages me that I need to inform you of a serious assault resulting in hospitalisation, inflicted upon our young gifted and immensely popular player Billie Busari. The unprovoked and callous attack took place close to Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth in the early afternoon and therefore broad daylight on Friday 22nd July. It’s appropriate with a police investigation in progress that we refrain from infinite detail save to say that Billie’s injuries warranted surgery.
Two assailants one carrying a knife and with allegedly a pit bull terrier in tow inflicted wounds to Billie and damage to his car. Mindless thugs in a cowardly attack on one of the nicest young men you could wish to meet. Billie is currently studying for an electronics degree at Portsmouth University and as we all know is progressing a promising football career destined to go higher in the ranks.
Billie is back home in London along with his family as you can imagine all fairly traumatised by events and not feeling too disposed on him returning to Portsmouth or Gosport FC and who can blame them. Can I encourage you to reach out to Billie and his family by using any of the GBFC social media facilities to both wish Billie a speedy recovery whilst demonstrating that his experience is so out of kilter with the inbuilt hospitable nature of our city and its supporters.
Meantime we are working with all authorities committed to finding (find them we will) and bringing to book these despicable delinquents. The club has made a substantial donation to Crimewatchers and whilst we consider the value of posting a reward for any information leading to the arrest of the assailants.
Good luck and be safe.
– STATEMENT ENDS –
Busari signed for 7th tier outfit Gosport in October 2021 from Southern League Premier South side Chesham after starting his university course.
Busari previously spent time with Fulham and Reading Academies before joining Tring Athletic in 2018 and then Chesham in 2020.
Gosport boss Shaun Gale Gale told The News: ‘It was a nasty attack, really nasty. It was a complete break of the jaw. Billie is one of the nicest people you could meet, he wouldn’t hurt a fly.
‘He is a really popular member of the dressing room, and we’ve got a close dressing room – we socialise together, the players look out for each other. The lads are devastated for Billie.’
Regarding the attack on Busari, a police statement said: ‘Were you in the area at the time? Did you hear what was said? Did you see the assault?
‘The first suspect is described as being aged in his 20s, around 6ft 1in tall and of skinny build. He was wearing a camouflaged-style vest top.
‘The second suspect is described as being aged in his 30s, around 5ft 9ins tall and of stocky build. He was a wearing a nude-coloured top with blue jeans.
‘One of the suspects was walking a dog at the time of the incident.
‘He has been released on conditional bail and our enquiries are ongoing.’
Anyone with any information should call 101 quoting reference 44220294867.’
Steve Marshall – a councillor in Gosport – tweeted: ‘Sickening and seems to be becoming more common. Really hope the offenders are caught and brought to justice.
Billie, hope you feel better soon. Don’t let these characters ruin your ambitions.’
Gale added: ‘The messages of support for Billie have been great. There’s still a lot of good people out there – and they outweigh the bad.
‘It’s sad these things happen, but that seems to be the way of the world now.
‘He’s a strong kid and I have no doubts we’ll see him again.
‘Hopefully the police will do their bit now, and I urge anyone who has any information to report it. It could be vital in taking the people responsible for this disgusting attack off the streets.’
Fans reacted as Gosport condemn the ‘despicable delinquents’ who broke their player’s jaw in an unprovoked attack…
@FrankieSMCW: Absolutely horrendous 🤬 a speedy recovery Billie, those responsible will get their comeuppance 🤬
@MikeMiddleton87: Get well soon Billie. Really sad to hear this.
@Lin_Pompey: So sorry to read this. I hope Billie is feeling much better and gains his confidence back after such a shocking thing to happen to him.
@Dobbie16: Shocking! Speedy recovery Billie. Hope these scumbags are found ASAP!
@AndrewG69450487: Worlds gone mad get well soon
@kingoftheclock: Get well soon, Billie. No place for scum bags like that in society. Best wishes from all of the supporters at Farnham Town ❤️
@OJW_Exile_80: B, sorry this happened; H & I love watching you. You inspire so many young people in Gosport who look up to & want to be like you. PLEASE don’t let these parasites win, don’t even deserve to breathe same air as you. Fix up soon as we can’t wait to welcome you back #OurHaven💛💙
@pompey657mark: Come people of Portsmouth,if you know anything about these couple of C+×ts,have a word with the local plod
@PhilJon2000: Unbelievable, culprits need caught, come on Pompey find them 👍 hoping for a full and speedy recovery Billie, we need you 👍
@b_therealmkz: Hope the lad makes a full recovery and is back playing soon. Sometimes the mental trauma takes far longer to recover than the actual physical injury.
@PVockins: Shocked to hear about this, had the pleasure of working with Billie at Tring Athletic for a short time. He is a lovely young lad with enormous talent and I hope he recovers fully from this and resumes his studies and playing career
@jezzaf3: Shocked is an understatement. At times I genuinely despair about our society. Just hope he is able to move past this and get well soon.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login